The High Line is property of the City of New York and under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks & Recreation.

It is managed in partnership with Friends of the High Line.

Section 2: Trees Arrive in the Chelsea Thicket

By Kate LindquistAugust 17, 2010

American holly trees (Ilex opaca) were lifted onto the High Line, where they are being planted in the Chelsea Thicket. Chelsea Thicket South in memory of Janice H. Levin.

Earlier this morning, American holly trees (Ilex opaca) — the first trees to be planted in Section 2 — were lifted from the street onto the High Line near West 21st Street.

These pictures illustrate one of the challenges of building and maintaining a garden in the sky: lifting moving large, heavy plants from the street onto the High Line.

The trees range between 5 and 15 feet in height, and weigh between 500 and 1,000 lbs. Crews use a crane to lift the trees, one by one, off the back of a flatbed truck and onto the High Line. Then they use a dolly to transport the trees along the path to their final location in the park.

Next spring when Section 2 opens to the public, you will be able to see the trees throughout the Chelsea Thicket, where the path will wind through dense plantings before opening up to the Seating Steps and Lawn.